BOSTON—A stunning second day showing by the UMass Lowell women's track and field program propelled the team to a second-place finish at the 2022 America East Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Boston University. Amassing 126.5 points, the River Hawks edged out Binghamton (122) to earn silver behind reigning champions University of Albany (180). 
 
"Both teams really did a great job. We scored from throws, hurdles, jumps, distance; all the kids did a great job from all the facets of the team. It was a team win," commented Head Coach Gary Gardner. "All the coaches and all the support team are a big part of that when you have a win like that." 
 
The throwing contingent wrapped up the weekend with a pair of strong performances from graduate student Jasmine McFarlane (South Yarmouth, Mass.) and sophomore Martina Nkwantah (Pepperell, Mass.) in the shot put. The pair combined for seven points off fifth and sixth-place finishes, respectively. McFarlane's 13.13 meter (43'1") toss marked a career best for her in the event to bring in four points. Meanwhile, Nkwantah's 13.06 meter (42'10.25") mark was just half an inch shy of her farthest toss but good for three points. 
 
In a tight battle, three River Hawks fought their way into the top eight for the women's high jump. Leading the UMass Lowell jumpers, sophomore Erin Jensen (Brimfield, Mass.) cleared 1.65 meters (5'5") on her third attempt to claim third overall. In a three-tie for fifth, graduate student Sierra Rudolph (Gloucester, Mass.) glided over 1.60 meters (5'3") to earn three points. Closing out the event, junior Sydney Lewis (Nashua, N.H.) split eighth-place with Katherine Cowan from Maine after both competitors leapt over the 1.60 meter (5'3") mark on their third and final attempt. 
 
Sophomore Alexandria Grasso (North Reading, Mass.) registered a new personal best in the triple jump to close out the River Hawks' day in the field. The Massachusetts native hit an 11.89 meter (39'0.25") mark to clinch the bronze medal and bring in six points. Grasso continued her standout showing with a 9.03 time in the 60 meter hurdles, picking up yet another bronze medal and another six points towards UMass Lowell's score. 
 
The River Hawks middle distance crew maintained the momentum moving into the second half of the day. In the 500 meter race, junior Avery Leydon (Woburn, Mass.) snagged a silver medal and a crucial eight points off a personal-best time of 1:13.37. Senior Izzy Giesing (Bradford, Vt.) followed in Leydon's footsteps, cruising to a second-place time of 2:06.01 for another eight points. 
 
UMass Lowell's efforts came to a head in the distance events. Graduate student Kaley Richards (Lowell, Mass.) dominated the women's 1,000 meter with an outstanding 2:51.13 time to easily claim first. Joining Richards, junior Leah Rudolph (Gloucester, Mass.) ran her fastest 1,000 meter ever, clocking in at 2:59.20 to finish seventh overall.
 
The River Hawks saw three runners clinch scoring positions in the mile to bring in 13 points towards the team total. Freshman Sarah Ross (Agawam, Mass.) shone in her first-ever AE Championships, bringing home the bronze with a 5:05.09 time. Coming in hot on her heels, senior Sarah Burns (Billerica, Mass.) set a new career-best time of 5:05.13 for fourth overall and five points. Closing out the mile crew, sophomore Asaliah Mirambeaux (Lowell, Mass.) clocked in at 5:17.31 to place seventh. 
 
Keeping her hot streak alive, graduate student Jenna Solimine (Haverhill, Mass.) ran a career fastest 3,000 meter to place fourth overall in the highly contested event. Crossing less than a second later, junior Mackenzie Doyle (Swansea, Mass.) set a personal best of her own with a 9:49.10 finish. 
 
A major deciding event for the River Hawks came down to the women's 4x800 meter relay. Looking to secure a top spot, Leydon, Ross, Rudolph and graduate student Kristin Hohenstein (Chelmsford, Mass.) combined for a third-place effort to bring in a critical six points to push UMass Lowell to second overall. 
 
"Obviously, we had some kids that won different events," remarked Gardner. "It was a complete team effort that did it, so we're really pleased overall. That is about as well as we could've competed on both sides, so we're really happy." 
 
The River Hawks continue their postseason stretch next weekend, March 4-6, at the IC4A/ECAC Championships hosted by Boston University.